It might not look like much right now — but if city commissioners approve this plan by Butch Rahman + Chad Englund, this site could soon be bustling with food truck bites. | Photo by LALtoday
If you wait all month for the food truck rally, your favorite truck could get a permanent home in Swan City with this latest development.
Meet Main Street Eats, a new concept from entrepreneurs Butch Rahman and Chad Englund that would permanently park up to eight food trucks in a food court-style set-up east of downtown Lakeland at 1108 E. Main St.
While Rahman + Englund hope to develop the former used car lot there into the food truck court, Lakelanders Ken James and Ziomara Taveras — perhaps better known as the owners of Plates on Deck — would manage it. The duo recently competed on the 17th season of “The Great Food Truck Race” — so needless to say, it’ll be in good hands.
Keep reading for more details on what else the site could include, plus when it might open.
Board Game Night | 5:30-9 p.m. | HP Guild Games | Free | Borrow from the game library to play with others, or BYOB — bring your own board (game).
Sip & Shop | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | 1833 Historic Venue | Free+ | Browse the wares of local artists + businesses while sipping on bevs.
Mosaic Night | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $55 | Tickets to this class include instructions and materials for creating your own mosaic art piece + a free drink.
Friday, Nov. 22
The Royal Treatment with Cinderella | 6-8 p.m. | Enchanted Fairytale Hollow | $25 | Little princes and princesses can meet Cinderella and receive a makeover fit for royalty in this interactive experience.
A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland | 7:30 p.m. | Branscomb Memorial Auditorium at Florida Southern College | $35+ | Ireland’s top dancers will enchant you with a thrilling performance set to your favorite carols.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Thanksgiving Sides Camp | Saturday, Nov. 23 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | What’s Cooking Lakeland | $89 | Little chefs can learn to make homemade cranberry sauce, mac + cheese, and bread under the supervision of a pro.
Winter Haven Festival of Trees | 12-6 p.m. | Grove Roots Brewing, Winter Haven | $5 | Face painting, gifts, and sweets will be available to peruse alongside 22 decorated trees + a visit from Santa himself.
Sunday, Nov. 24
Christmas Paint Party | 12-4 p.m. | Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ | $45 | Paint your own holiday door decor while raising funds for the Polk County Bully Project.
Season of Wonder Handbell Concert | 5 p.m. | First United Methodist Church of Lakeland | Free | The Magic of Bronze group will ringin the season with holiday carols.
Ready to take the next step in your nursing career?
Presented By Florida Southern College
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Florida Southern College has received SACSCOC approval for its Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
This program, designed for registered nurses ready to advance their careers, offers specialized training to meet the growing need for mental health care providers. With a curriculum focused on comprehensive psychiatric care, graduates will be prepared to support mental health in diverse settings.
Ready to take the next step in your nursing career? Learn more.
Three county commissioners have been sworn into office for their new terms. Commissioner Bill Braswell will serve his third term representing District 3, while commissioners Michael Scott and Becky Troutman will represent Districts 5 and 1, respectively.
Closing
It’s time to say ka-bye to Feasts of Persia’s food truck. The eatery announced yesterday that it will close its windows by the end of this year, but will still offer catering + meal prep services complete with fan-favorite menu items like the kabob burger and falafel sandwich.
Edu
RCMA’s Mulberry Community Academy is getting a permanent home after receiving $350,000 in funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The K-8 school building is expected to be constructed by 2026 + will serve around 300 students from agricultural and rural families. (The Ledger)
Sports
Just call them the real life Iron Men. Lakelanders + star Special Olympics athletes Robert Norris and Ryan Aytona will compete in Florida’s half Ironman race next month in Haines City. Cheer them on as they complete a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run. (The Ledger)
Award
Polk State’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs is bringing home some new hardware from the Association of Florida Colleges Communications and Marketing Commission. The college earned 21 total awards this year, including a Best in Show honor for its “FIND the Student Within YOU” campaign.
Plan Ahead
Let’s get lit. Bonnet Springs Park’s Light Up BSP event is returning again this year from Dec. 14 through Dec. 31. Don your best Christmas jammies + round up the whole family for two weeks of free light displays, performances, and special activities — a full schedule will be released soon.
Festival
Think you have what it takes to take home a blue ribbon? Start working on your submissions for the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Adult Neighborhood Village Competition. Whether you’re a bona fide baker or wonderful woodworker, read up on the rules for each category before the February deadlines.
Number
$756. Per WalletHub, that’s the average 2024 holiday budget of a Lakelander. The research calculated the max holiday budget for 550+ US cities using metrics like population, income, age, and ratio of savings to monthly expenses. Pro tip: Start with our gift guide.
Seasonal
Tomorrow’s the day: Don’t miss the kickoff to the holidays with Lakeside Village’s Kettle Kick-Off & Tree Lighting, Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.*
Shop
A sports gift your kids won’t put down: Dribbleup’s top-selling Smart Basketball. Unlock thousands of interactive drills led by real coaches — it’s 60% off for the holidays.*
Category
Culture
See the Silver Moon on the small screen in “Greater Lakeland”
Presented By WEDU PBS
At the Silver Moon, anyone can be part of cinematic history — just ask Allen Kucera, who transforms into a movie star in this episode. | Photo courtesy of Triforce Pictures
When you visit the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre, a trip to the movies becomes a step back in time. It’s the only drive-in left in Polk County, linking Lakeland’s present to its past through decades of movie magic.
In the next episode of WEDU PBS’ “Greater Lakeland” series, owner Chip Sawyer and superfan Allen Kucera share what’s made it such a special place since 1948.
Stream anytime or catch the episode live tonight at 8:30 p.m.
With all this talk about food trucks, we’ve got restaurants on the brain. While we’re always craving something new, we also can’t help but long for a piece of nostalgia, too. If you have a bygone Lakeland restaurant that you still think about on the regular, make sure to share it with us — you might see it featured in an upcoming newsletter.
